Lightning strikes again in Oregon fire region

Wednesday

Jul 2, 2014 at 9:05 AM

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon fire bosses apprehensive about this season's drought conditions report that an area of Southern Oregon where lightning touched off major fires last year got hit by lightning overnight.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon fire bosses apprehensive about this season's drought conditions report that an area of Southern Oregon where lightning touched off major fires last year got hit by lightning overnight.

About 85 strikes have so far produced only one small fire in Douglas County.

The Douglas Forest Protective Association reported Wednesday that firefighters were on the fire near Days Creek, southeast of Roseburg.

It sent a plane up to look for more fires, and more reconnaissance flights are expected Wednesday and Thursday. Lightning strikes can smolder for a day or more before igniting a larger fire.

Kyle Reed, fire prevention specialist for the association, said a bit of rain accompanied the lightning, which wasn't the case last July when hundreds of lightning strikes in bone-dry weather touched off major fires.